Implications of Finite Element Method-based Analysis of Wushu Movement Mechanics for Performance Techniques and Injury Prevention

In this paper, the 3D reconstruction of the finite element model of the knee joint is completed by first generating and editing the 3D images of the martial arts movements through Mimics software.After that, Hypermesh and Abaqus software are used to pre-and post-process the properties of materials in the knee joint biomechanical finite element model.Visual 3D software and low-pass filter smoothing technique were used to obtain and process the kinematic and kinetic data of the martial arts maneuvers, and the processed data were used as boundary and loading conditions to import the data of the three martial arts maneuvers, namely, horse stance, lunge stance, and servant stance into the finite element model for calculating and comparing the biomechanical responses of the articular cartilage and meniscus.The results showed that the movement pattern of horse stance has a larger knee range of motion and a smaller peak ground reaction force compared to the lunge and servant stance movements in the martial arts maneuvers.Finite element simulations showed that the straddling knee stance produced smaller peak contact stresses on the knee cartilage and meniscus, and the peak stress area changed more during the movement.Three-dimensional finite element simulation analysis obtained four characteristic moments, namely: the first peak ground reaction force moment, the maximum external rotation-external rotation moment, the maximum dorsiflexion moment, and the second peak ground reaction force moment, which corresponded to a greater difference in ground reaction force values.Therefore, it is recommended to wear protective equipment in advance for the injury-prone areas to reduce the risk of injury before the wushu performance.